Understanding spoken audio isn’t always easy—background noise, unclear audio, or hearing difficulties can get in the way. To help with this, Apple offers Live Caption, a built-in accessibility feature that converts speech into on-screen text in real time. It works across supported iPhones, iPads, and Macs, making everyday conversations and media easier to follow.
This guide explains what Live Caption does, which devices support it, and how you can enable, use, and customize it for your needs.
What Is Live Caption and How Does It Work?
Live Caption listens to spoken audio and instantly displays it as readable text on your screen. A small floating caption panel appears while someone is speaking, updating continuously as the conversation or audio progresses. It works during calls, video chats, and even while watching or listening to media.
Introduced with iOS 16 and iPadOS 16, this feature was designed mainly to improve accessibility, especially for users who are deaf or hard of hearing. That said, it can also be useful in noisy environments or when audio clarity is poor. At present, Live Caption supports English language speech.
Devices and Software Requirements
Live Caption is available only on newer Apple devices that meet certain hardware and software criteria. You must also be running the latest supported system version.
Compatible devices include:
- iPhone 11 and newer models
- iPad (8th generation and later)
- iPad mini (5th generation and later)
- iPad Air (3rd generation and later)
- iPad Pro 11-inch models
- iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation and later)
Before enabling the feature, make sure your device is updated:
- Open Settings
- Tap General
- Select Software Update
- Install the latest update if available
How to Enable Live Caption
Live Caption is turned off by default, so you’ll need to activate it manually.
Steps to enable Live Caption:
- Open Settings
- Go to Accessibility
- Scroll to the Hearing section
- Tap Live Caption (Beta)
- Switch the toggle On
You’ll also find additional options here to allow captions during:
- Phone calls
- FaceTime calls
- RTT-supported calls
Once enabled, the caption window will automatically appear whenever your device detects speech.
Using the Live Caption Window
After activation, a movable caption box shows up near the bottom of the screen. It starts transcribing audio as soon as someone speaks.
The caption panel includes several controls:
- Hide – Minimizes the window
- Pause – Temporarily stops transcription
- Microphone – Captions your own voice when you speak
- Expand – Switches to a larger, full-screen view
You can drag the caption window anywhere on the screen. The expanded view is helpful for longer conversations, while the compact view keeps things unobtrusive.
Using Live Caption During Calls and FaceTime
Live Caption works smoothly during voice and video conversations.
- Phone calls: Enable Live Caption before making or receiving a call. Spoken words will appear as text while the call is active.
- FaceTime: Make sure FaceTime captions are enabled in settings, then start a call. Captions appear automatically as participants speak.
- VoIP apps: Many supported third-party calling apps also work with Live Caption.
Customizing Caption Appearance
You can adjust how captions look to improve readability.
To customize captions:
- Open Settings
- Go to Accessibility
- Tap Live Caption (Beta)
- Select Appearance
Available options include:
- Bold text on or off
- Text size adjustment
- Text color selection
- Background color changes
- Idle opacity control
Idle opacity reduces the visibility of controls when captions are not actively updating. Since there’s no live preview, it’s best to test changes while captions are running.
Quick Toggle Options for Live Caption
If you don’t want to open settings every time, you can add quick access options.
Using Accessibility Shortcut
- Go to Settings → Accessibility
- Scroll down to Accessibility Shortcut
- Select Live Caption
- Add Accessibility Shortcuts to Control Center
Now, swipe down from the top-right corner and tap the shortcut to turn Live Caption on or off.
Using the Shortcuts App
- Open the Shortcuts app
- Create a new shortcut
- Add the action Set Live Captions (Beta)
- Choose Toggle
- Save and add it to your Home Screen
This lets you enable or disable captions with a single tap.
Final Thoughts
Live Caption on iPhone, iPad, and Mac is a practical accessibility feature that turns spoken words into readable text in real time. Whether you’re on a call, using FaceTime, or watching media, it helps ensure important information isn’t missed.
With flexible customization options and easy toggle controls, Live Caption fits smoothly into daily use. Just make sure your device is supported and updated, then enable it once to experience clearer communication across your Apple devices.
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